BY: MIWAKO CHANG
York University has announced plans to open a new School of Medicine, a significant step in advancing healthcare education in Ontario. The announcement was made as part of Ontario’s 2024 Budget: Building a Better Ontario. The provincial government is providing $9 million in start-up funding to support the development and planning of this new school, which aims to address the growing need for more family doctors in the region.
“This new investment to support increased physician education in Ontario comes at a critical time and marks an important milestone in York’s trajectory as an internationally recognized leader in higher education,” said Rhonda Lenton, president and vice-chancellor of York University.
The School of Medicine will be located in the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct, adjacent to the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. This location fosters a close partnership with Mackenzie Health and other local healthcare providers, ensuring that students gain hands-on experience in a real-world medical environment.
The School of Medicine will employ a network of clinical learning sites, including hospitals, family health centers, and community health clinics. Students will also engage with community providers, including Indigenous primary care health organizations, to ensure an inclusive educational experience.
A key feature of the program is a unique bridging initiative aimed at providing access to medical education for all qualified students, including those from underrepresented backgrounds. This initiative aligns with York University’s commitment to ensuring that the student body reflects the diversity of the communities they will serve.
Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO of Mackenzie Health, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. “Approximately a quarter of the patients who come to our Emergency Departments do not have a family doctor. The York University School of Medicine is well-positioned to address this challenge,” Stationwala said.
Set to open in 2028, the school will initially welcome 80 undergraduate students, eventually expanding to accommodate 240 undergraduate students and 293 postgraduate residents. This expansion is expected to have a lasting positive impact on the region’s healthcare system, addressing the critical shortage of family doctors and improving access to primary care.
For more information, visit www.yorku.ca/medicine.